Zeitung to recount history of Tell City’s fun places

TELL CITY – The 2013 Schweizer Zeitung will mine the rich history of Tell City’s beer gardens, theaters, taverns, breweries and distilleries through feature stores, photos and first-hand accounts.
Published in early August ahead of Schweizer Fest, this year’s Zeitung will look at the gathering places that added mirth and merriment to Tell City life, from the years after its founding through the challenges and rebellion against prohibition.
It will also look at today’s businesses, old and young, that keep the tradition alive.
 In addition to staff-written stories and assignments to freelancers, the News is looking for reader-submitted photos and guest columns.
“Tell City has a rich and colorful tradition of hard work and prosperity but also of having fun,” Editor Vince Luecke said. “We hope readers will share with us and the community stories of the business owners, entrepreneurs and community legends who tended bars and beer gardens, brewed and distilled beer and whiskey and ran successful theaters, restaurants and dance joints.”
Tell City boasted more than 30 saloons in the early 1900s, some of which offered free lunches to draw customers. “While not many of us are old enough to remember nickel beer, we hope photos and stories have been passed down and will be shared,” Luecke added.
He urges readers to share memories of trips to the former Ohio and Swiss theaters or the Starlite Drive-In.
Which tavern served the first beer or where did you win that pool or dart tourney or bowl that 300 game?
What was a trip to Fischer’s Lake or Billie Neu’s lake?
Submissions are needed by July 20 and can be dropped off at the News office or sent by e-mail to editor@perrycountynews.com. For more information, call 547-3424.
This year’s Zeitung is aiming for a broad reach, so share your memories, Luecke urged.